This magnificent exhibit is the last surviving Marlin of the 285 built, although unfortunately now too hemmed in for a clear shot. Accepted in 1956, it served VX-1 and several patrol squadrons including VP-40 with which it deployed to SE Asia from 1965 to 1967. It made the last operational flight of a Navy flying boat in May 1967, landing in San Diego Bay. In 1968 it was flown from NAS North Island to Patuxent River and put into the care of the Smithsonian/National Air Museum. In 1977 it was tranferred by barge to Pensacola and by 1990 had undergone restoration, moving inside by 2011

Retired after service with VP-40. The only surviving Marlin.

Last remaining of this type.

This Marlin was accepted by the Navy in 1956 and joined Air Development Squadron (VX) 1. Over the next 11 years this aircraft served in a number of patrol squadrons, finishing its active career with VP-40, which in 1967 became the last squadron in the USN to be operational with flying boats.

Big and ugly airplane!